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Board of Education
November 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
Zoom Meeting
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Mary Tomasi, Suesen Hickey, Jessica Morozowich, Amy Domeika,
Mitch Koziol, Joanne Rose.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Vice Chair Chris McGlynn.
ADMINISTRATION PRESENT: Superintendent Jeffrey Burt, Principal Colchester Elementary
School Principal Judy O’Meara, Jack Jackter Intermediate School Principal Elise Butson, Director of
Teaching and Learning Charles Hewes, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Kathleen
Perry, Director of Education Operations Mario Hurtado, Darren Smith Director of Digital Learning
and Innovation, Chief Financial Officer Maggie Cosgrove.
1. MEETING OPENING
1. Call to Order
Chair Mary Tomasi called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm with a roll call to establish a quorum.
2. ADDITIONS/CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
Superintendent Burt requested the addition of Pandemic Impact Update as Item 5.5 and to move
Item 13.6 Town Diversity and Inclusion Committee to 14.1 Liaison Reports.
Motion by: M. Koziol
to add 5.5 Pandemic Impact Update and to move 13.6 Town Diversity and Inclusion Committee
to 14.1 Board Liaison Reports.
Second by: S. Hickey.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
3. CELEBRATIONS
3.1 Welcoming Evelyn Toennes Student BOE Member
Principal Peel introduced Student Evelyn Toennes who will be a student board member.
3.2 Introduction of New School Resource Officer Mike Brown
Officer Brown was unable to attend this evening and will be invited to the next meeting.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments received.
5. REPORT FROM SUPERINTENDENT
5.1 Communications
Letters regarding the reopening of school have been received from Michael Dubreuil,
Valerie Parekh and Candace Cerda.
5.2. 2021-2022 Budget Updates
Superintendent Burt is working with the Board of Finance to set dates for budget discussions
in December and for a late February budget presentation. Superintendent Burt has met with
building principals and directors to discuss priorities and the pressing needs of school
departments around the pandemic and how to come back and bring budget to minimum
standard. Superintendent Burt would like to start the dialogue sooner with online public
discussion leading to a formal presentation in March
5.3 Reopening Planning Update
Thursday, November 12, 2020, is the date for the younger students to begin in-person
Board of Education
November 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
learning. Principal O’Meara and Principal Butson stated they are ready and thanked the
custodial staff for their help in getting prepared.
5.4 Update on Voluntary At Home Learners (VAHL) Program
Dr. Hewes and Superintendent Burt provided an update on the Voluntary At-Home Learners
Program that currently totals 241students. The updates include improved goals that no longer
require parent attendance, increased instructional time, provide a guaranteed curriculum. There
will be virtual classes for K-5 and virtual tutoring for grades 6-12.
5.5. Pandemic Impact Update
There have been 16 cases since start of school in September. Superintendent Burt said they
have not seen student to student transmission so far. The schools are going through custodial
supplies more quickly as they are being provided to teachers.
6. POLICIES/REGULATIONS FOR FIRST READING
6.1 4000-2T Employee Use of District’s Computer Systems and Electronic Communications
6.2 5000-5T Use of Private Technology Devices by Students
6.3 5000-6T Use of the District’s Computer Systems and Internet Safety
6.4 4113-4P Job Sharing
6.5 5141.22P Communicable/Infectious Diseases
6.6 5145-11P Questioning and Apprehension
6.7 5145-6P Student Grievance Procedures
6.8 9132 Bylaw: Guidelines on Ad Hoc Committees
As these are all first readings, no action was taken.
7. PRIORITY DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Diversity Committee Discussion
This item was tabled until the next meeting.
7.2. Morozowich Funding Presentation
J. Morozowich presented the Board members with a written explanation /definition of the
various funds within the Town of Colchester prepared by M. Cosgrove. These are terms used
by the Board of Finance during budget season and will be helpful in understanding the process.
7.3 2020-2021 Calendar Adjustment
Superintendent Burt presented adjustments to the school calendar through the end of January.
These changes reflect a shift in the educational model beginning November 12, 2020.
Wednesdays will be shortened days for all schools. These days will be used for teacher
collaboration, professional development, to update planning, etc.
Motion by: J. Rose
to approve the adjustments to the 2020-2021 school calendar through January 2021.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.4 In-School Suspension Coordinator Position Description
This position was in the budget but has not been filled to date.
Motion by: A. Domeik to approve the position description for In-School Suspension Coordinator
at Bacon Academy.
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Board of Education
November 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
Second by: J. Morozowich.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
7.5 Projected Enrollment Until 2030
Superintendent Burt reviewed the projected enrollment analysis for Colchester Public Schools
until 2030.
7.6 2020-2021 Snow Days Discussion
The school calendar provides for inclement weather days. For the first two days, school
will be closed as they have been traditionally in the past and no instruction will take place on
these two days. The third day will be remote learning. These days will be made up with the
built-in inclement weather days. If there is a power outage, school will be closed and there
will be no instruction. If all built-in days are used, days will be added at the end of school.
8. GRANTS/OTHER FINANCIALS
8.1 Title I Grants
Title 1, Part A of the Elementary and secondary Education Act of 1964, as amended by the
Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, is a non-competitive grant allocated to districts across
the country with the intent of improving academic programing for struggling students.
Allocations are distributed to schools at the district level based upon the percentage of
students receiving free and/or reduced lunch. This grant is for $304,651.
8.2 Title II Grants
Title II, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the
Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 is a non-competitive grant allocated to districts across
the country with the intent of supporting the professional learning of faculty and administration.
This grant is for $53,117.
8.3 Title III Grants
The Title III is a non-competitive grant allocated to districts across the country with the intent
of supporting English Learner. Due to the limited amount of funding, Colchester Public Schools
is required to be a part of a consortium headed by EASTConn. This grant is for $1,599.
8.4. Title IV Grants
Title IV is a non-competitive Title IV, Part A, SSAE grant has been allocated to districts
across the country with the intent of improving students’ academic achievement by
increasing the capacity of local communities to:
a) provide all students with access to a well-rounded education;
b) improve school conditions for student learning; and
c) improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital
literacy of all students. This grant is for $18,399.
Motion by: S. Hickey
to accept Title 1, II, III and IV Grants totaling $377,766.
Second by: M. Koziol.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
9. CURRICULUM/INSTRUCTION/ASSESSMENT – None at this time.
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Board of Education
November 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
10. CONTINUED DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS
10.1 Approval of Administrator Contract
The contract between the Colchester Board of Education and the Colchester Association of
School Administrators was presented for approval.
Motion by: J. Rose
to approve the Administrators’ Contract for 2021-2024
Second by: J. Morozowich.
Vote: Unanimous to approve.
11. NON-SUBSTANTIVE POLICIES
11.1 4112P Appointment and Conditions of Employment
11.2 4112.7P Orientation
11.3 4116P Probationary/Tenure Status
11.4 4117.1P Retirement
11.5 5156P Conducting Research in Schools
No action on the above policies.
12. CONSENT AGENDA
12.1 Approval of October 13, 2020 BOE Meeting Minutes
J. Rose asked to have information amended regarding the Diversity and Inclusion
Committee. These minutes will be on the next agenda for approval.
12.2 Approval of November 2, 2020 Special BOE Meeting
Motion by: M. Koziol
to approve the November 2, 2020 Special BOE Meeting minutes.
Second by: A. Domeika.
Vote: Unanimous to approve Item 12.2 November 2, 2020 minutes.
13. REPORTS FROM BOARD COMMITTEES
13.1 Policy – no report.
13.2 Budget
J. Morozowich noted that CFO Cosgrove projects a loss for the cafeteria fund for the rest
of the year.
J. Morozwich met with M. Cosgrove to discuss the terminology as it refers to the various
funds that exist. M. Cosgrove prepared an explanation of each fund that will help the
Board members as they move through the budget process. The technology reserve is very
low, Pay to Play refund is still possible. Some sports may still be played so a possible refund
will be determined at a later date.
13.3 Personnel – no report
13.4 Ad-Hoc Curriculum – no report
13.5 School Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
J. Rose reported that goals are being determined, training for committee members is being
researched.
13.6 Town Diversity and Inclusion Committee - Moved to 14.1.
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Board of Education
November 10, 2020 – Regular Meeting
14. REPORTS FROM BOARD LIAISONS
14.1. Town Diversity and Inclusion Committee
J. Rose stated the committee is inviting guest speakers from town departments, religious
groups, other groups to discuss diversity in those areas.
Other Liaison Reports -
S. Hickey reported that the Youth First has hired a full time program coordinator. Several
programs are being planned to include suicide prevention, vaping and road rage.
C3 has become a town department to help families and children. They are in the process of
setting up a task force.
A. Domeika reported that the Board of Finance members are having a discussion about
changing how it is accessed. At the last meeting the Fire Department gave a presentation on
the need for six new trucks and an ambulance. The Park & Recreation Commission interviewed
five citizens for four vacancies on the commission.
15. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS AND INFORMATION ITEMS
15.1 CSDE Report on Student Attendance
15.2 CSDE Analysis of Preliminary Public School Enrollment in 2020-2021
15.3 Next Meetings
MEETING DATE TIME LOCATION
Policy Committee 11/23/2020 5:30 PM Virtual
Budget Committee 12/3/2020 9:00 AM Virtual
Board of Education 12/8/2020 6:00 PM Virtual
Personnel Committee 12/7/2020 5:30 PM Virtual
15.4 Monthly Student Enrollment
15.5 Approved Committee Meeting Minutes
November 10, 2020 – Board of Education Meeting – 6:00 pm
15.6 Monthly Budget Reports
15.7 Cafeteria Fund
15.8 2021 Committee Meeting dates
15.9 Budget Transfer Under $5,000 – None at this time
15.10. Regulations – None at this time
Information items only, no action taken.
16. PUBLIC COMMENT
No comments were received.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Tomasi adjourned this meeting at 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Jane Slade
Recording Secretary
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